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Tommy John surgery a success for Sano

MLB.com analyst Jim Duquette discusses the injury to Twins prospect Miguel Sano that will keep him out for the entire 2014 season

By Rhett Bollinger
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MLB.com |

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Top prospect Miguel Sano underwent successful Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday, assistant general manager Rob Antony said Thursday.

Sano, who suffered a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, had the surgery in New York with Dr. David Altchek performing the operation. No other damage was found in Sano's elbow, but he did suffer a full tear of the UCL. Sano remains in the hospital after feeling some dizziness from the medication but is expected to fly back from New York on Saturday.

"They went in and looked at that same MRI we had and said it was a full tear," Antony said. "Altchek was pleased with the way the rest of the elbow looked. He said there's no doubt he'll be ready to go for the start of Spring Training next year."

Sano, ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect by MLB.com, is expected to need roughly five months of rehab before he can start swinging the bat again, and eight months of rehab before he's ready to play third base.

There's still a chance he could serve as designated hitter late in the Minor League season or play in the Arizona Fall League or in his native Dominican Republic during the offseason. But Antony said the main goal remains to have Sano ready for the start of next season.

"From my perspective, it doesn't matter to me if he DHs for a month or if he doesn't hit or play at all this year as long as he comes back healthy next year and ready to go," Antony said.